By Adam Schefter
Special to NFL.com




(Aug. 13, 2007) -- As the Chiefs prepare to break camp Wednesday, Kansas City is the subject of Hard Knocks and compelling storylines.
None is any more significant than the ongoing contract talks between the Chiefs and their holdout running back Larry Johnson.
The two sides, both sides repeated Monday, are making progress. The tone of the talks has shifted noticeably. They now are much more friendly, more open, with the two sides now recognizing that both need to get the deal done. A deal is expected before the season kicks off, and could happen even sooner if progress continues to be made.
As a backdrop, adding another twist to the plot, is Priest Holmes' situation. Since training camp started and since October 2005, Holmes has not had any contact. Doctors already have cleared Holmes, now it's up to him to decide when he feels confident enough to resume practicing without limitations.
Priest Holmes is close to getting back on the gridiron since he last played in October 2005. There is a feeling that it could occur next week; it almost has to.
The Chiefs will be leading up to their third preseason game, the significant one on teams' schedules. It's when the regulars get the most playing time.
Kansas City must see Holmes in action, as the running back must see for himself how he feels as well. Nobody knows how Holmes is going to hold up to a hit, but the feeling is, the answer has to come in the next couple of weeks.
While the Chiefs wait on Johnson and Holmes, they continue fielding inquiries for veteran playmaking safety Greg Wesley. The latest came Monday from the Houston Texans, who lost starter Glenn Earl to a season-ending foot injury.
Wesley, a former third-round pick who started 14 games last season, would be an ideal replacement for the Texans. But Houston is looking in other areas as well. Former Giants and Panthers safety Shaun Williams is scheduled to work out for the Texans this week. Former 49ers safety Tony Parrish, who worked out Monday for the Jaguars, also is available.
He had hoped to catch on with Jacksonville, but the Jaguars signed former Chiefs safety Sammy Knight to a one-year contract. Knight is a playmaker, but these days, the Chiefs are headline makers.